Foster praises Kubiak for decision to keep Schaub as starter

The Texans have a three-game losing streak, and quarterback Matt Schaub is getting a lot of national attention for all the wrong reasons – four consecutive games with a pick-six – and running back Arian Foster talked about how he feels about the way coach Gary Kubiak has handled the situation.

“I think it shows everything about who coach Kub (Gary Kubiak) is,” Foster said. “He’s a player’s coach. He has our back and, when a coach does that, you have to show up for him.

“I’ve felt that way (because) he’s stuck up for me. I feel like I owe him a lot. I owe this organization a lot because they gave me a chance. That’s the kind of organization we have here.”

“When you look at Matt’s body of work, a lot more positive than negative,” Cushing said. “Matt’s played very good football for a bunch of years now, and he’s been an extremely consistent starter and the leader of this team for a while now.

“He’s had a couple rough games. I think everyone does in their career, but it’s highlighted more when you’re the quarterback. He’s caught a lot of unfair stress and negativity, complaints about him, but we all have faith in Matt and know he’s going to get us going real quick.”

Coach has confidence in Tate

Running back Ben Tate, who’s in the last year of his contract, is averaging 6.2 yards a carry, but he’s lost a fumble in the Texans’ end of the field in each of the last two games.

“It’s a concern any time somebody turns the ball over, but I’ve got confidence in Ben, just like I do in our quarterback (Matt Schaub),” Kubiak said. “We’re ripping at the ball in practice, doing everything we can to help him. He knows he can’t do that.”

Defense by the numbers

Not only do the Texans rank first in defense, but they’ve been outstanding when it’s third down and less than 4 yards. Opponents are converting those situations only 23.5 percent (4-of-17) of the time. The league average is 56.2.

In Gary Kubiak’s eight seasons, the Texans are 36-7 when they force more turnovers than they allow.

<center><strong>Week 5: 49ers 34, Texans 3</center></strong><br>
Matt Schaub (8) stands on the sidelines as backup quarterback T.J. Yates (13) prepares to go into the game during the fourth quarter. less

<center><strong>Week 5: 49ers 34, Texans 3</center></strong><br>
Matt Schaub (8) stands on the sidelines as backup quarterback T.J. Yates (13) prepares to go into the game during the fourth ... more

Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle

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49ers defensive back Tramaine Brock returns an intercepted pass by Texans quarterback Matt Schaub 18 yards for a touchdown during the first quarter.

49ers defensive back Tramaine Brock returns an intercepted pass by Texans quarterback Matt Schaub 18 yards for a touchdown during the first quarter.

Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle

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Texans kicker Randy Bullock watches his miss on a 45-yard field goal attept during the first quarter.

Texans kicker Randy Bullock watches his miss on a 45-yard field goal attept during the first quarter.

Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle

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Texans wide receiver Keshawn Martin reaches for a pass as 49ers defensive back Darryl Morris defends during the first quarter.

Texans wide receiver Keshawn Martin reaches for a pass as 49ers defensive back Darryl Morris defends during the first quarter.

Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle

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Texans running back Arian Foster is brought down by 49ers free safety Eric Reid during the first quarter.

Texans running back Arian Foster is brought down by 49ers free safety Eric Reid during the first quarter.

Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle

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49ers running back Frank Gore scores on a 1-yard touchdown run past Texans inside linebacker Darryl Sharpton during the first quarter.

49ers running back Frank Gore scores on a 1-yard touchdown run past Texans inside linebacker Darryl Sharpton during the first quarter.

Texans cornerback Kareem Jackson (25) slams Seahawks wide receiver Doug Baldwin (89) to the turf in overtime. Jackson was penalized for a personal foul on the play, giving the Seahawks a first down. ( Brett ... more

Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle

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Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch (24) is tackled on the sidelines by Texans inside linebacker Darryl Sharpton (51) in overtime. Shaprton was called for a horse collar penalty on the play. ( Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle ) less

Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch (24) is tackled on the sidelines by Texans inside linebacker Darryl Sharpton (51) in overtime. Shaprton was called for a horse collar penalty on the play. ( Brett Coomer / ... more

Titans quarterback Jake Locker is sacked by Texans defensive end J.J. Watt during the third quarter.

Titans quarterback Jake Locker is sacked by Texans defensive end J.J. Watt during the third quarter.

Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle

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Running back Ben Tate breaks away from Titans strong safety Bernard Pollard for a 60-yard run during the first quarter

Running back Ben Tate breaks away from Titans strong safety Bernard Pollard for a 60-yard run during the first quarter

Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle

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Texans mascot Toro rappels from the top of the stadium as the 2012 AFC South Champions banner is unfurled before facing the Titans.

Texans mascot Toro rappels from the top of the stadium as the 2012 AFC South Champions banner is unfurled before facing the Titans.

Photo: Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle

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<center><strong>Week 1: Texans 31, Chargers 28</center></strong><br>
Texans kicker Randy Bullock is mobbed by his teammates after kicking the game-winning field goal against the Chargers as time expired. less

<center><strong>Week 1: Texans 31, Chargers 28</center></strong><br>
Texans kicker Randy Bullock is mobbed by his teammates after kicking the game-winning field goal against the Chargers as time ... more